aquaporin
Membrane water channel
Aquaporins are proteins embedded in cell membranes that form channels allowing water molecules to pass rapidly in and out of cells.
These molecular gatekeepers are found throughout living organisms, from bacteria to humans, and play crucial roles in processes like kidney filtration, plant water uptake, and tear production.
Scientists sometimes call them "water channels" for their specialized function of facilitating osmotic flow while blocking ions and other solutes.
Movement via waterways
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
single-file · water balance · reabsorption · secretion · gating · regulation · trafficking
Folded amino chain
- biomoleculeLife-produced chemical compound
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- gene expressionDNA to functional product
synthesis · phosphorylation · vasopressin · localization · knockout · molecular weight · purification · crystallography
Blood-filtering organ
- red blood cellOxygen-carrying blood component
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- brainSeat of cognition
- lungRespiratory chest organ
salivary gland · edema · glaucoma · nephron · sweat gland · epithelium · endothelium · astrocyte
Passage for transmission
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- hourglassGravity-powered sand timer
- constrictionTightening or narrowing action
Highest academic honor
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- simulationImitation of real processes
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
mercury · biomarker · gene therapy · membrane protein · discovery · characterization
water transport
Movement via waterways
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
homeostasis · single-file · water balance · reabsorption · secretion · gating · regulation · trafficking
protein
Folded amino chain
- biomoleculeLife-produced chemical compound
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
gene expression · synthesis · phosphorylation · vasopressin · localization · knockout · molecular weight · purification · crystallography · mutagenesis
kidney
Blood-filtering organ
- red blood cellOxygen-carrying blood component
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- brainSeat of cognition
lung · salivary gland · edema · glaucoma · nephron · sweat gland · epithelium · endothelium · astrocyte · choroid plexus
channel
Passage for transmission
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- hourglassGravity-powered sand timer
constriction · vestibule · monomer · narrowing · angstrom
Nobel Prize
Highest academic honor
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- simulationImitation of real processes
inhibitor · mercury · biomarker · gene therapy · membrane protein · discovery · characterization